Ashwater

"THANK YOU"

I would like to express my appreciation to everyone in Ashwater for the significant support offered during my recent successful campaign to become Forest Ward District Councillor. I would, too, like to thank the outgoing district councillor, Christine March, for her efforts on behalf of residents in the ward over the past four years.

Congratulations are extended to the incoming (and returned) Ashwater Parish Councillors and to the members of the Parish Hall Committee, all of whom are working hard to improve our quality of life. I know that our new Parish Council Chairman, Mrs. Betty Batt, extends her thanks to all who have supported her and her colleagues.

It remains now for us to make the difference for which we rely so much on your support. We look forward to that.
Barry M Parsons (District Councillor)

Parish Council

Your new Parish Council comprises the following:
Betty Batt, Fiona Bull, Eric Burnill, Steve Furse, Mary Gliddon, Pete Jennings, Lawrence Langston, Trevor Moon, Malcolm Timney.
The Annual General Meeting took place on Wednesday 9th May and Betty Batt was elected as Chairman. Fiona Bull accepted nomination to be officer responsible for finances ("shadowed") by Lawrence Langston and Malcolm Timney accepted nomination to be Vice-Chairman. This concluded the business of the Annual General Meeting.

There followed an ordinary meeting of the Council.
Barry Parsons, the newly elected District Councillor addressed the meeting and thanked everyone in the district for their support and congratulated all the Parish Councillors on their election. He had received a list of outstanding enforcement issues from the out-going District Councillor. Barry said that he would do his best to help the community and would always be available to help with any problems. He also confirmed that he would ensure that the views of the Parish Council would be voiced at District Council level and that he would keep the Parish informed of any District Council matters which might affect the Parish.
The Council meeting then proceeded and again concerns were raised over the closure of the Manor Offices in Holsworthy. Barry was asked if he would seek an up-date.
Mobile homes at East Down were discussed. It was decided that we should ask the enforcement officer to visit the property again, perhaps with one of the Parish Councillors.
It was decided that information regarding the replacement notice board would be sent to two or three joinery companies to obtain quotations.
T Moon was elected to represent the Parish Council on the Parish Hall Committee. It was agreed that, generally the Parish Council would meet on the second Wednesday of every month. June, however is an exception and the meeting will be on Wednesday 6th June.
Under "Finance" income and expenditure regarding the footpaths scheme was discussed and invoices, which had been received from R Moon, Audit Commission and for the Insurance, were paid.
A planning application from Clawford Vineyards and Fisheries was discussed and it was decided that the Parish Council could not support it.
It was noted that the recent application from the Bonsai Nursery has not been granted and that there was an application for 21 local needs houses at Halwill Junction.
Exeter’s unitary status was discussed but it was agreed that whilst some of the Parish Councillors had some views on the subject more information would be requested.
Torridge District Council will shortly be joining with North Devon District Council and other partners to form North Devon Plus, which will provide support and assistance to improve the local economy. Small businesses, often with only 1 or 2 employees, are a vital part of the workforce and often the commercial backbone of small communities, but we are concerned that their needs are often overlooked If you run, or work for a small business in the Parish it would be useful to know what your views and whether you think that the new partnership could help you. Please contact M Timney on malcolm.timney@btconnect.com.
Finally a subcommittee was set up to take forward the appointment of a new clerk.

ASHWATER REVEL AND FUN DAY 7TH JULY

Plans for the Revel and Fun Day on 7th July are now well underway and will be a wonderful Joint Event. You must be there! If you have not yet decided what you would like to do on the day, look on the village website for the Programme of Events where you will find some suggestions for ways to get involved: Please contact the person named for each part of the event.

Education Can Come to Ashwater

In the Post Office you will find a brochure from Devon County Council detailing the programme of Education that could be made available. This can be brought right onto our doorsteps and be held in the Parish Hall. All it needs is 8 or more people with the same interests and a course could be put on. Have a good look at what is on offer, see if you can find a few others with the same interests and let me know, by e-mail fpcapron@btinternet.com, and I will try to get enough people together to set something in motion.

Horticultural Society

There will be a visit to Rosemoor Gardens on 20th June 2007. Each member can take a guest and entrance will be free. Please contact the Secretary at hortsec@ashwaterparish.org.uk if you need a lift or have spare places in your car.

Easter Egg Hunt

The Ashwater play group would like to thank the Entertainments Committee for their donation of £50 towards the Easter Egg Hunt this year. Also a big thanks to all those who supported the event or gave prizes for the raffle, it was a great afternoon for the children and their parents.

Parish Hall

We are still awaiting the decision on our Stage One bid to the Big Lottery Fund. This decision has again been delayed until mid June due to the high volume of applications. During this delay the Sub-Committee has continued to move forward on design and other issues so that when the decision is made we can proceed without delay.

The 100 Club winners for May are 1st Prize Terry Pugh and 2nd Prize Eric Gill.

Spring into The Forest

Cookworthy Forest Centre Saturday 16th June 2007 Open Day to coincide with BBC Springwatch

The Cookworthy Forestry Centre is putting on an Open Day so why not come and join foresters, artists and scientists to explore and experience the diverse forest flora and fauna.
Everyone is welcome to this Forest Fun Day, bring along a picnic. Moths and butterflies, mammal trapping, insect traps, pond dipping, painting and drawing, themed wildlife walks, wildlife photography exhibitions and displays. For more information please contact Glyn Bradbury 01409 221692.

Special Events include (booking essential 01392 834220): Thursday 14th - 7.30pm Woodland raptors and Nightjars with Ian Parsons £5.00.
Friday 15th - 2pm Afternoon Woodland walk with Fiona Bull tea and cakes included £3.
Friday 8.30pm - Bat walk and talk with Devon Bat Group £5
Saturday 16th - 8.30am Morning Woodland Walk with Fiona Bull breakfast bap included £5.

Devon County Council

Wheels to Work

The successful Wheels 2 Work scheme is extending Devonwide from Tuesday 17 April.
For the first time the project, which is part funded by Devon County Council, will be available right across the county. It will also be the first Wheels 2 Work scheme in the country to set up a Community Interest Company. This will allow it to generate income for the future of the project, on a not for private profit basis, through contract work and product sales.
Devon Wheels 2 Work will amalgamate three existing schemes. These are the TRIP Youth, Employment and Transport Initiative in Honiton, East Devon, the North Tamar CTA Wheels 2 Work programme in Holsworthy and Westden's Getting There project in West Devon.
The previous schemes only operated for people aged from 16-25 but it will now extend to those aged up to 65.

Church News

Helen Benson would like to thank everyone who helped in any way at the coffee morning on Saturday 12th May, £180.68 was raised.

May 26th to 28th The Flower Festival will be held, the theme this year is Countries.
October 7th The Harvest Festival service will take place.
October 8th there will be another service, which will be followed by the Harvest Festival Supper.

Ashwater Parish Calendar

Below is a list of events that are taking or scheduled to take place in the parish so that all involved have knowledge of the dates already booked. Please let me have the dates of your event/meeting and I will include them in the calendar.

My thanks to those who provide articles for the newsletters. Copies will as always be available at the Post Office and in the Village Inn. Any information for inclusion in or offers to help please contact Peter Capron, my e-mail address is newsletter@ashwaterparish.org.uk.

Website designed by Anthony Williams and Henriette North.
Comments and Submissions to webmaster@ashwaterparish.org.uk
Last modified: Saturday May 26, 2007